Commentary: New York's 48th District Representative, Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine says Farm Bill was not Good for Farmers

Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine

The New York State Senate Agriculture Committee voted in support of our farms, farm workers and consumers last week by voting down farm worker legislation that would have added regulations and costs, while supporting legislation to cut taxes, fees and mandates on farmers.

The fact of the matter is these are hard times for our agricultural industries and this state’s farmers are having difficulty earning a living to feed their families as they feed all of ours. The Farm Tax, Fee and Mandate Relief Act is legislation I authored with the New York Farm Bureau to address a series of issues at the state level that will help farmers increase their profitability by reducing their costs.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
Farm Bill was not Good for Farmers

Rural Economies Program Defended

Ag. Secretary Tom Vilsack

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack threw more fuel Monday into a simmering spat with the House Agriculture Committee's top Republican, who has criticized federal programs aimed at boosting rural economies.

At a luncheon with agriculture reporters, Mr. Vilsack tartly dismissed as "nonsense" the contention by Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to turn farm communities into "bedroom communities" through its mix of non-farming programs such as rural broadband and alternative energy production.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
Rural Economies

National Humane Society no Friend to 4-H

Anti-meat Group Should not have Been welcome at Agriculture Organization’s National Conference

Farmers and ranchers across the country have long known what many Americans are just now learning. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is a political machine masquerading as an umbrella organization for local humane societies.

While most local humane societies perform a much-needed service in their local communities, the national organization is run by vegetarians with an extreme anti-meat agenda. The HSUS markets itself as an animal care organization but spends less than 1 percent of its $100 million annual budget in hands-on pet shelters.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
No Friend to 4-H

Rooftop Farming Booming in New York

Andrew Cote climbs a fire ladder to check his beeh

NEW YORK — Urban farming is a growth industry in New York city's concrete jungle, and with little open land free agriculturalists and beekeepers have taken to the rooftops to pursue their passion.

Andrew Cote uses the emergency fire ladder to climb up to the roof of his East Village building, where he tends to 250 bee hives.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
Rooftop Farming